Carton



Sept. 13, 1933. c J, ALFRED I 2,129,980

CARTON Filed April 17, 1936 INVENTOR ATTORNEY;

Patented Sept. 13, 1938 CARTON Clarence J. Alfred, Orange, N. J.,assignor to The American Sugar Refining Company, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New Jersey Application April 17,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to cartonsior use in the distribution of sugar,salt, and similar commodities, and is concerned more particularly with anovel carton so constructed that it may be .readiiy opened for dischargeof the contents thereof.

The new carton is especially suitable for the distribution of materialswhich are particularly hygroscopic or which are not free-flowing, suchas Confectioners, brown, and similar sugars, and an 10, embodiment ofthe invention for that purpose will, accordingly, be described in detailfor purposes of explanation, although itis to be understood that theutility of the invention is not limited to its use in connection withany particular commodity.

The cartons now comnfonly employed for such finely pulverulent materialsas confectioners sugar and for brown sugar are not sufficiently tight inthemselves to protect the contents against outside atmosphericconditions. It has, accordingly, been the practice to place in suchcartons a lining or inner container of a suitable material, such asWaxed paper, which is filled with the sugar and then closed tight in anysuitable manner, as by sealing. When the contents are to be removed froman ordinary container of this type; the top of the container must be cutor torn loose to expose the lining which is then punctured or cutaway toprovide an opening through which the contents may be poured out. Suchcontainers are not wholly satisfactory because the operation of cuttingoff or removing the top may be somewhat difficult, and if only a portionof the contents of the carton is to be discharged, the carton, withportions removed, does not provide protection for the remainder of thecontents.

The present invention is, accordingly, directed to the provision of asimple inexpensive carton for finely divided materials which is soconstructed that the top may be readily opened to expose the liningwhich may then be punctured to permit discharge of all or a portion ofthe contents. Thereafter, the portions of the top which have beendisplaced may be. restored to substantially their original positions toclose the carton and provide protection for the part of the contents I1936, Serial No. 74,819 (01. 229-51) means by which the carton may beopened does not add substantially to its cost.

The new carton is made of a blank of paper board or similar material,and it will ordinarily be of rectangular section. Its ends are closed bythe usual closing flaps, and at the top, the carton has a pair of innerflaps folded inward over the end of the carton and lying with their endedges close together. An opening is provided in the inner flaps to serveas a finger hold, and for this purpose, the edge of one of the innerflaps may have a portion cut away, as, for example, of semicircularshape. An intermediate flap extending from another face of the carton isfolded inwardly over the inner flaps and secured thereto by adhesive,and this intermediate flap has a transverse weakened line which liessubstantially in registry with the space between the end edges of theinner flaps. At one side of this weakened line, the intermediate fiaphas a movable tab, preferably of semi-circular form, defined byperforations, and the tab lies directly over the opening through theinner flaps. An outer flap extends from another wall of the carton andis folded inward over the intermediate flap and secured thereto byadhesive, and this outer flap ise provided with a movable transversesection defined by spaced weakened lines. One of the lines defining thesection is preferably in substantial registry with the weakened line inthe intermediate flap, and the section overlies the tab in theintermediate flap, sothat by lifting the section, the tab in theintermediate flap may be exposed. Both the intermediate and outer flapsare weakened, as by perforations, along the lines on which they arefolded inwardly at the end of the carton, and all the weakened lines inthe flaps are such that the flaps may be readily torn along those lines.

When the contents of the new carton are to be removed, the transversesection in the outer flap is first raised by tearing the flap along thespaced weakened lines at either side of the section. I

This exposes the tab in the intermediate section, and that tab may belifted free by the finger nail or pushed inward. The end of the fingermay then be placed in the finger hold opening in the inner flaps, andone of these flaps, a portion of the intermediate flap, and a portion ofthe outer fiap, may then be raised as a unit, the intermediate and outerflaps being torn along their lines of folding in this operation. Theother inner flap and the remaining portions of the intermediate andouter flaps may then be similarly raised together, whereupon the entireupper end of the inner container or liner is exposed. The liner is thenpunctured, or a part cut away, and the contents of the carton may bedischarged. When the carton is to be closed, the inner flaps with theportions of the intermediate and outer flaps con-' nected theretoarefolded back to their original positions, and the movable section of theouter flap is'also folded back flush with the top of the carton. The endof the carton is thus closed neatly and the flaps with the liner providethe desired protection for the contents.

In order to facilitate the opening of the new carton by the operationsabove described, provision is made to insure that the movable section ofthe outer flap may be torn free without the use of an implement, and forthis purpose, the section is less firmly secured by adhesive to theintermediatefiap than the remaining portions of the outer flap. This isaccomplished by reducing the pressure applied to the section and theportion of the intermediate flap immediately beneath it in the closingof the carton, and as a result of the use of lessened pressure, thesection is only lightly secured to the intermediate flap, and the end ofthe section may be readily engaged and lifted by the finger nail.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to theaccompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the newcarton prior to itsbeing filled;

Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the steps in the operationof closing the end of the carton which is later to be opened;

Figure 4 is a plan view of that end of the carton;

Figure 5 is a plan viewof a pressure in closing that end of the carton;

Figure 6 is a sectional view illustrating the manner in which the flapsare secured together;

Figure 7 is a view of the carton blank in flattened condition;

Figures 8, 9, and 10 are perspective views illusplate used trating theoperations of opening the end of the carton; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating the operation ofclosing theend of the carton after removal of a portion only of the contents.

Referring now to the drawing, the carton is illustrated as formed of ablank 20 of appropriate size and made of any suitable material, such aspaper board. This blank is folded to rectangular shape to produce thecartonbody 2|, and the blank is secured in that condition by adhesiveapplied .between the outer surface of the longitudinal tab 22 and theinner face of one of the carton walls. of rectangular section with apair of narrow end walls 23 and a pair of broader walls 24. From the endof the narrow walls 23 extend inner flaps, 25a and 25b which, whenfolded in over the end of the carton, as shown in Figure 2, lie withtheir end edges close together and preferably substantially in contact.An opening 26 is provided through the inner flaps to serve as a fingerhold, and preferably, this opening is formed by cutting away a portionof one of the inner flaps at its end edge. In the operation of closingthe end of the carton, the inner flaps are folded inward, and a film ofadhesive 21 is applied over the outer surfaces thereof. An intermediateflap 28 extending from' one of the broad faces of the carton is thenfolded in over the inner fiaps to be secured. in place by the adhesive,this intermediate flap being of asize substantially the same as theinternal cross-section of the carton.

The carton, as shown in Figure 1, is'

the perforations are preferably of considerable length compared to theconnecting portions between them, so that the fiap may be readilyruptured along the line. The intermediate flap is also provided with amovable tab 3|a which lies above the opening 26 through the inner flaps.Preferably, this tab is of the same semi-circular form as the opening,and, if desired, may be on a slightlysmaller radius. The curved boundaryof the tab is weakened, as by perforations, so that the tab maybereadily pushed in through the opening or lifted free.

An outer fiap 32 of the same size as the intermediate flap extends fromthe other wall 24 of the carton and is secured in contact with theintermediate flap 28 by a film of adhesive 33. The outer flap isprovided with a movable section 34 defined by spaced lines 35 weakened,as by perforations, these lines extending across the flap from its lineof union 36 with the wall 24 to its free edge 31. The movable sectionoverlies the tab 3Ia and the opening 26, and the section issubstantially broader than the radius of the opening and tab, so thatwhen the section is torn free from the outer flap by rupture of the flapalong the lines 35, the tab 3la will be fully exposed and may be removedor pushed in so as to proyide access to the opening 26. Preferably, oneof the lines 35 lies in substantial registry with the line 29 in theintermediate flap.

In assembling the carton, the inner, intermediate, and outer flaps arefolded inward in the order named, the films of adhesive 21 and 33 beingapplied at the proper times. The flaps are then subjected to pressure tocause the adhesive to secure them firmly in position, and for thispurpose, the carton is inverted and placed on a pressure plate 38 havingchannels 38, one of which extends transversely of the carton and liesbeneath the movable section 34. A forming block 40 is then placed withinthe carton, this block having a pressure plate at its lower end which isformed with a'transverse channel 4| similar to the channel 39 in thelower plate. When pressure is applied to the fiaps by the block, theamount of pressure to which the movable section and those portions ofthe flaps directly above it, in the inverted position of the carton, aresubjected is less than the pressure applied to the other portions of theflaps. As a. consequence, the section becomes slightly offset outwardlyfrom the portions of the outer flap on either side of it, and is onlylightly secured by the adhesive to the intermediate flap. This weakadherenc of the section to the intermediate flap makes removal of thesection a simple operation by the finger nail.

After the upper end of the cartonds closed in the manner described, theliner or inner container is placed in position and filled, and the otherend of the carton is then closed by means of flaps 42 generally similarto the inner, intermediate, andouter flaps previously described, butwithout perforations or openings therein,

The operations of opening the carton are illustrated in Figures 8, 9,and 10, and the first stage is that of raising the section 34. For thispurpose, the finger nail is inserted under the free edge of the sectionand the latter is then tom free from the outer flap and raised, asillustrated in Figure 8. This operation exposes the tab 3Ia which caneither be pushed inward or lifted clear of the intermediate flap. Withthe removal of the section 34, the flap structure consists of two units,each of which comprises a portion of the outer flap at one side of themovable section, a portion of the intermediate flap at one side of theweakened line 29, and one of the inner flaps. The elements in each ofthese units are secured together by adhesive, and the units may beraised from position. to open the end of the carton by the operationsindicated in Figure 9. As the units are thus bent back, the intermediateand outer flaps are torn along their lines of union 30, 36 with thecarton walls from which they extend,

and the operations are facilitated by reason of the lines of union beingperforated. When the two units have been swung free of the carton, theliner 43 is exposed, and it may be punctured or cut away, as by means ofa knife 44, and the contents of the carton poured out. If it is desiredto close the carton after a portion only of the contents have beenremoved, the flap units 45 are swung back to their original positions,and the movable section 34 is returned to lie between them. The contentsof the carton are then fully protected, and the carton may be easilyreopened whenever desired.

What I claim is:

1. In a carton, the combination of a pair of inner flaps extending fromopposite walls of the carton and folded inwardly, said flaps lying withtheir end edges almost in contact with one another, an intermediate flapextending inwardly from another wall of the carton over' said innerflaps, said intermediate flap being sub-divided into two portions by aweakened line extending entirely across said flap and lying insubstantial registry with the space between the end edges of'said innerflaps, an outer flap extending from another wall of the carton andfolded inwardly over said intermediate flap, said outer flap beingprovided with a movable section extending from the free edge of the flapto the line of junction with the latter to its carton wall and overlyingthe weakened line in said intermediate flap, said intermediate and outerflaps being weakened along their lines of junction with the walls of thecarton from which they extend, and films of adhesive between theintermediate fiap and the inner flaps and between the outer flap and theintermediate flap. v

2. In a carton, the combination of a pair of inner flaps extending fromopposite walls of the carton and folded inwardly, said flaps lying withtheir end edges substantially in contact with one another, anintermediate flap extending inwardly from another wall of the cartonover said inner flaps, said intermediate flap being sub-divided into twoportions by a weakened line extending across the flap from its free edgeto its line of junction with the carton wall, said line lyingifinsubstantial registry with the space between t e end edges of said innerflaps, an outer flap extending from another wall of the carton andfolded inwardly over said intermediate flap, said outer flap beingprovided with a movable section defined by weakened lines and extendingfrom the free edge of the flap to its line of junction with thecartonwall, said section overlying said weakened line in the intermediateflap, said outer and intermediate flaps being weakened along their linesof junction with the walls of the carton from which they extend, andfilms of adhesive between the intermediate flap and the inner flaps andbetween the outer flap and the intermediate flap.

3. In a carton, the combination'of a pair of inner flaps extending fromopposite walls of the carton and folded inwardly at one end thereof withtheir end edges lying close together, an opening being formed by removalof material from at least one of said flaps, an intermediate flapextending inwardly from another wall of said carton to overlie saidinner flaps, said intermediate flap being sub-divided into two portionsby a weakened line extending across the flap from its free edge to itsline of junction with the carton wall and overlying said opening, saidintermediate flap being provided with a movable tab overlying theopening in said inner flaps, and

an outer flap extending from another wall of the carton and foldedinwardly over said intermediate flap, said outer flap being providedwith a movable section extending from its free edge to its line ofjunction with the carton wall and overlying the opening in saidintermediate flap, said intermediate and outer flaps being weakenedalong their lines of junction with the walls of the carton from whichthey extend.

4. In a carton, the combination of a pair of inner flaps extending fromopposite walls of the carton inwardly at one end of the carton and lyingwith their end edges close together, at least one of said flaps having aportion of its end edge cut away to provide an opening, an intermediateflap extending inwardly from another wall of said carton to overlie saidinner'fiaps, said intermediate flap being sub-dividedinto two portionsby a weakened line extending across the flap from its free edge to itsline of junction with the carton wall and being provided with a movabletab in at least one of said portions, said tab being defined by aweakened boundary and overlying the opening through said inner flaps, anouter flap extending from another wall of the carton and folded inwardlyover said intermediate flap, said outer flap being provided with amovable section extending across the flap from its free edge to its lineof junction with the carton wall and overlying the movable tab of saidintermediate flap, said outer and intermediate flaps being weakenedalong their lines of junction with the walls of the carton from whichthey extend, and films of adhesive between the intermediate flap and theinner flaps, and between the outer flap and the intermediate flap.

5. In a carton, the combination of a pair of inner flaps extending fromopposite walls of the carton inwardly at one end of the carton and lyingwith their end edges close together, at least one of said flaps having aportion of its end edge cut away to provide an opening, an intermediateflap extending inwardly from another wall of said carton to overlie saidinner flaps, said inter mediate flap being subdivided into two portionsby a weakened line extending across the flap from its free edge to itsline of junction with the carton wall and overlying the space betweenthe end edges of said inner flaps, said intermediate flap having amovable tab defined in part by said line and in part by another weakenedline, said tab overlying the opening through said inner flaps, and anouter flap extending from another wall of the carton and folded inwardlyover said intermediate flap, said outer flap having a movable sectionextending across the flap from its free edge to its line of junctionwith the carton wall and overlying the tab in said intermediate flap,said section beingdefined by spaced weakened lines one of which liessubstantially in registry with the transverse weakened line in saidintermediate flap, said intermediate and outer fiaps 4 being weakenedalong their lines of junctionwith the walls of the carton from whichthey extend. I

6. In a carton, the combination of a pair of inner flaps extending fromopposite walls of the carton and folded inwardly at one end thereof withtheir end edges lying close to one another, one of said flaps having aportion cut away at its end edge to provide an opening, an intermediateflap extending from another wall of said carton inwardly to overlie saidinner flaps, said intermediate flap being subdivided into two portionsby a transverse weakened line extending across the flap from its freeedge to its line of junction with the carton wall and being providedwith a movable tab defined by a weakened boundary a part of which isprovided by said transverse weakened line, said tab overlying theopening through said inner flaps, and an outer flap extending fromanother wall of the carton and folded inwardly over said intermediateflap, said outer flap having a movable section extending across-the flapfrom its free edge to its line of junction with the carton wall andoverlying the tab in said intermediate flap, said movable section beingdefined by spaced weakened lines one of which lies in" substantialregistry with the transverse weakened line in said intermediate flap,said intermediate and outer flaps being weakened along their lines ofjunction with the walls of the carton from which they extend.

7. In a carton, the combination of a pair of similar inner flapsextending from opposite walls of the carton inwardly at one end thereof,the end edges of said flaps lying close together at the middle of theend of the carton, an intermediate flap extending inwardly from anotherwall of the carton and overlying the inner flaps, said intermediate flapbeing subdivided into two portions by a transverse weakened lineextending across the fiap from its free edge to 'its line of junctionwith the carton wall and lying in registry with the space between theend edges of the inner flaps, an outer fiap extending inwardly fromanother wall of the carton and overlying the intermediate flap, theouter flap having a movable section defined by parallel weakened linesextending across said flap from its free edge to the line of junction ofsaid flap with the carton wall, said section being removable to exposethe transverse weakened line in the intermediate flap and said outerflap being of a shape and size to close the entire end of the carton,and films of adhesive securing the contacting flaps together.

8. In a carton, the combination of a pair of similar inner flapsextending fromopposite walls of the carton inwardly at one end thereof,the end edges of said flaps lying close together at the middle of theend of the carton, an intermedi ate flap extending inwardly from anotherwall of the carton and overlying the inner flaps, said intermediate flapbeing subdivided into two pertions by a transverse weakened lineextending across the flap from its free edge to its line of junctionwith the carton wall and lying in registry with the space between theend edges of the inner flaps, said intermediate fiap having a movabletab in one of its portions at the weakened line separating the portionsand near the middle of the end of the carton, an 'outer flap extendinginwardly from another wall of the carton and overlying the intermediateflap, the outer flap having a section defined by parallel weakened linesextending across said flap from its free edge to-the line of junction ofthe outer flap to the carton wall, said section being removable toexpose the transverse weakened line and the entire tab in theintermediate flap and said outer flap. being of a shape and size toclose the entire end of the carton, and films of adhesive securing thecontacting flaps together.

' CLARENCE J. ALFRED.

